Job Discussion Forums

[ecocks]

So, I read through the FAQ's and looked over discussion threads but still had a few questions. I have undergraduate and graduate business degrees in management and IT, a 120-hour reputable TEFL certificate with student contact hours during the program, 3 years of public school teaching in the US, 11 years of University teaching (adjunct courses), 2 years of university teaching of Senior/Grad level Business courses to non-natives in Eastern Europe and 3 years ESL experience in Eastern Europe.

How are they (Japanese employers) on hiring ESL teachers in their mid-50's?

24-25 contact hours seems reasonable in their job descriptions, do they adhere to this or begin trying to "stretch" you to cover other classes?

I could live in a cruise ship cabin easily enough as long as I have a good desk area and internet, so the 1K and 1DK look okay for a minimalist like myself. Are the lofts still common in the apartments?

If you just live by cellphone and don't have a landline or care to watch cable over there, what are your internet options?

I notice a couple of the schools include a car. One of the best things about Eastern Europe was that I went three years without a car due to the metro and bus systems. I suspected the car was to get from lesson to lesson, how big a problem is it to get a position at a central location or make use of public transit?

It seems like they do a LOT more with children than Eastern Europe (except maybe Georgia or Poland). How hard is it to work almost pure adults?

What is the difference between Eikaiwa, Jet and ALT? Is there a summary of that somewhere that I missed?

Those answers will get me started but I'm sure that I can come up with a host of others. Thanks for your responses.

[Pitarou]

[quote="ecocks"]How are they (Japanese employers) on hiring ESL teachers in their mid-50's?[/i]

In general, they're not fussy about your age. All contracts are short term.

Some Japanese employers won't hire young men to work with kids, so your age might help there. On the other hand, some schools have quite a few handsome young men....

[ecocks]

Re: Age

But no visa restrictions like some places in ME or (I thought) China where visas are not issued or there is a stigma about us older folks?

Re: Contact Hours

I did some additional reading and it seems this is one of the dodges and that in fact there are no minimum hours worked for coverage under the National Health System. I saw enough of this mis/dis-information tactic usage in Ukraine so it's no real surprise. I assume though if you make an issue of it they decide to either give you the contract or move to the next, more pliable applicant? Some of the ads specify 32=35 hours acknowledging the prep.

Re: Lofts

One thread that discussed housing in detail showed pictures of loft as Leopalace 21 (?). Reminded me of children's furniture units with built-ins and ladders and all. Was just curious if the lofts were the norm or do most just roll out a futon on the floor to sleep, then roll it back up in the morning? Also, did I understand correctly that they aren't too big on ovens over there?

Re: Age of Students

I taught HS for three years and realized my patience with "the slackers" was a bit lacking. Serious students wanting academic test prep, reading comprehension and writing skills are fine but I am not sure I am ready for kickball at recess time. In Ukraine I think my youngest student was 17. Anyway, I prefer older students but it's not critical as long as there's some corporate work to keep my mind in the game.

Thanks for your explanation of the different levels. Sounds like the Eikaiwas are most like what I understand and can relate to although obviously we learn when we hit a new area.

Re: Private Students

I have read that there is still a market for private students there. It's understood you need to develop your marketing plan to get to them. What sorts of hourly rates are considered appropriate there? Is meeting in the apartments an acceptable thing to do or is that too informal?

[Pitarou]

[Glenski]

Age might play a factor, especially with some eikaiwa or with young kids. Case by case.

If you shoot for a university position FT, it might also work against you, since a lot of unis have to pay more for people over 35 or so.

Lofts in apartments? I have never seen or heard of such.

[ecocks]

Thanks Glen.

If I land a spot I'll bring a BIG bottle of B12 and, if necessary, work on my kickball skills. It's not so bad, I can deal with a few classes of early teenagers and maybe the young ones are not all that intimidating. Can't be any worse than spoiled grand children.

The lofts were in some thread where you were talking to some guy about the prices of apartments and the definitions of "decent" and "nice" as descriptors. Elevated beds or sleeping platforms may be a better term but that was what was being discussed along with toilet layouts.

Good on the car, I'll stay away from rural areas that might require it. I greatly prefer metros and trolley/tram usage.

I count adults as anyone who approaches the process with a serious frame of mind. I prefer working with the 18-40 bracket. The late schedule doesn't bother me since it doesn't have that pattern from Eastern Europe of 7A-10A then break until 4P-9P. That really messed up the sleep cycles and the 2 day a week patterns and shared class setups really chopped up the routines.

[Pitarou]

[seklarwia]

Lofts are common in Leopalace 1K apartments, although they do have just as many 1Ks that have a raised bed with storage cupboards underneath rather than a laddered loft.

I have seen a couple of other apartments that have a proper loft area (as in I could almost stand up straight in the space) for sleeping/storage but I don't think lofts are all that common outside of Leopalace (although I could be wrong).

For those of you who don't know about Leopalace lofts take a look at the pics: http://en.leopalace21.com/room/

Otherwise watch Kimi wa Petto for glimpses of the other kind of loft I'm talking about.

[Pitarou]

[ecocks]

[Glenski]

[micronian]

[ssjup81]

Just thought I'd jump in and mention that the Leopalace apt that a friend of mine had, had a small loft and I wished I'd had it since the apartment as a whole seemed more roomy. Anyway, I've always referred to that area that you guys are describing as a loft as well.

[ecocks]

Good that I wasn't hallucinating about "lofts". I do remember one of those really fitting that "rabbit hutch" description but actually thought it was sort of cute. Made me want to get my pirate gear and practice my "Argh" vocabulary.

Yes, B12 for energy.

I've never been a day sleeper so that early morning work, break and then evening schedule combo in Europe was rough at first. Then I got setup, scheduled early mornings two or three times a week, filled the mid-day with uni classes and would only work til 7 a couple of weeknights. 12/1 to 9/10 as a set schedule doesn't sound bad as long as the transportation is safe and reliable compared to that first year in Europe.

I don't mind kids so much as long as they really want to be there. The nice thing about ESL (IMO) was that people were paying to be there rather than being forced. I particularly enjoyed working with the kids wanting to do well on TEOFL, GMAT, SAT and mastering academic writing as they pursued scholarships.

I've lived around rural areas but someone else is welcome to drive if needed for being out and about with the expat troops or bein behind the wheel on those scenic drives.

Speaking of which, what are some forums for expat networking over there?

[Mr_Monkey]

I had a Leopalace 1DK with a 'loft' when I first came to Japan - it might also be known as a mezzanine (very charitably speaking). Do bear in mind that in summer they're unbearably hot to sleep in. Cold air sinks; the AC outlet is usually below the level of the loft.

Therefore they exist, although whether or not you actually want one is a different proposition entirely.